Why LT is not any more important than RT

[dave mcbride]

i have no evidence to back this up, but i'm quite certain that the guys who cause the most qb fumbles are rushers from the RDE or ROLB position. derrick thomas and LT are the most famous ball strippers of course, but simeon rice still makes a living doing it. as did charles haley for that matter.

 

one way to think about it is to consider who was the more feared rusher -- neil smith or derrick thomas? i think any coach with a brain would say thomas, despite the fact that smith was his equal in producing sack numbers.

 

and no, this wasn't so long ago that the it doesn't apply anymore.

[ganesh]

Good point.  Esiason was left-handed.  Still, recalling the play itself, he never saw it coming.

 

There was a wicked blind side hit on McNabb a while back...

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I still can't forget the hit Bruce put on the philadelphia QB who was going for

the win on 3rd and goal on the bills goal line.....It was also the same game

where Gabe Northern blocked a punt and returned it for a TD.

[CosmicBills]

A couple of reasons come to mind (well, those that haven't been mentioned):

 

1) First, you have to remember that pro teams are always more advanced in schemes and offenses than 90 percent of colleges and High Schools. And at the HS level the old logic of "the best athlete on your line plays on the QB's blind side" still remains etched in stone.

 

That is just how it works. So, the best athletes begin their careers playing LT. This carries over to college. By the time they are entering the draft, the best players have spent over 8 years putting their left hand on the ground rather than their right.

 

This is something that shouldn't be overlooked. Yes, you can switch sides in college, but it's not an easy transition from the left to the right. Footwork, technique, hand placement is totally different from one side of the line to the other. Not to mention your role in the running and passing attack.

 

So, if the best players are starting at the LT when they are young, it stands to reason that they are still going to be the best players when they become pros, (at least 90 percent of the time).

 

If your argument about this notion being outdated is right, and it may very well be, it will take time for that to filter down throughout the system as colleges and high schools adapt more modern offenses. Till then, the best linemen will primarily be LTs coming into the draft and thus will be selected higher and receive higher salaries.

 

2) The blind side is NOT a myth. Even on rollouts to the right, the blind side is of paramount importance. Not only are the LTs on an island, they are going to be facing OLBs and DBs who are quicker than DEs when the pocket is moving away from them. Thus, it helps to have a more atheltic, complete player in that position than you would need on the Right side.

 

When you roll to the right, the RT has the advantage over the DE and DT because he is getting chip help from the guards and WRs as they start their routes. Also, it's usually an unexpected play call which puts the strong side defenders on their heels. This is even true when you are playing in trips or spread offenses without the benefit of a TE on the strong side.

 

Further more, blind side protection is more about happy feet than injuries to the QB. Every Bills fan has seen what happens when your QB has happy feet. Happy feet don't result from pressure on the right hand side where the QB can SEE the rushers coming and can judge when to get rid of the ball. Happy feet result when a QB FEELS pressure coming and cannot see it.

 

Most QBs develope this FEEL, and it can seriously mess up a rythm of an offense if your QB is constantly FEELing (and not seeing) pressure. It's even worse if your QB has no faith in his blind side being protected because a scrub has been put in at LT rather than a stud.

 

3) Weakside run blocking is primary concern of coaches. Sure, if the majority of run plays go over the right side, the RT is the first line of defense. But he has the help of TEs, OG and Cs to create that initial hole. But what is it that springs a 3 yard run into a 20 yard run? Blocking at the second level. That comes from the opposite side G and T and WRs making tougher blocks on more nimble LBs and Safties. This is a solo job.

 

So, using the logic that the majority of run plays go right, that means that the majority of the time the RT is not blocking one on one, but getting assistance. Whereas, the crucial blocks at the second level are being performed solo by the LT.

 

Whether running or passing, strong side or weakside, the LT is called upon to do his job one on one against quicker, better defenders than the RT is called on throughout the game.

 

That is why LT is still the premier position on the OL. Second is the Center. Then the RT.

 

In my opinion anyway.

[obie_wan]

A couple of reasons come to mind (well, those that haven't been mentioned):

 

1) First, you have to remember that pro teams are always more advanced in schemes and offenses than 90 percent of colleges and High Schools. And at the HS level the old logic of "the best athlete on your line plays on the QB's blind side" still remains etched in stone.

 

 

In my opinion anyway.

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Don't disagree that best athlete plays LT.

 

but not because it's the QB's "blind side".

 

As you note, the better athlete plays the left side because those skills are needed to exectue - not because the QB is left handed or right handed.